Nikola Jokic has been candid about his team’s performance this season, often being his toughest critic. His recent comments came after the Denver Nuggets lost to the Lakers 123-100, ending a nine-game winning streak.
“We won those games against teams that were injured or not very strong,” Jokic said. “Maybe we tricked ourselves into thinking we were better than we are.”
As of now, the Nuggets have a record of 37-20, but they’re 10-14 against teams that are currently above .500. Most of their recent wins were against weaker opponents, raising questions about their readiness for tougher competition.
The Nuggets are set to face four Eastern Conference playoff teams in their upcoming road trip. Coach Michael Malone noted that no one fears the Nuggets anymore. “We need to play better than we did tonight,” he said. “Against quality opponents, we can’t just rely on our offense.” During their winning streak, the Nuggets averaged 128 points per game, but they only managed 100 against the Lakers.
Jokic struggled against the Lakers, scoring just 12 points, his second-lowest of the season. He had limited opportunities, with only seven shots taken and two made.
After the game, there were two ways to interpret the loss: Was Denver just not tested enough during their winning streak, or was Los Angeles simply more motivated? First-year coach JJ Redick clearly put in a lot of effort to prepare his team for this match. “I pretty much haven’t slept since we walked off the court on Thursday,” Redick shared. “I envisioned our guys playing hard, and they exceeded my expectations.”
The Lakers have faced the Nuggets in previous playoff matches, losing to them twice in a row. They were eager to stop the trend, having lost 13 of their last 14 games against them before this victory. Jokic’s ability to break down defenses has made him a challenging opponent for the Lakers, especially with stars like LeBron James on the court.
“The game plan was amazing,” said Luka Doncic, a friend of Jokic. “It’s tough to guard someone like him, and we executed it well.”
To defend Jokic, the Lakers switched defenders often. Rui Hachimura took primary responsibility, but they also rotated players like Jarred Vanderbilt and LeBron James to keep him from finding an easy rhythm. They effectively pressured him, forcing Denver into 20 turnovers.
“Their defense was on point,” Jokic remarked. “They didn’t hesitate to take risks and it paid off.”
Malone acknowledged the Lakers’ strong game plan. “They cross-matched and doubled him every time. They didn’t let him get the ball,” he said. “To stop a player like him, you have to limit his touches.”
When asked how he could adjust to these strategies, Jokic suggested he might need to act as a screener more. However, it was unclear if the Nuggets failed to get him open or if it was a deliberate choice by the coaching staff.
Despite the loss, the Nuggets’ players remained optimistic. Jamal Murray echoed the need for adjustments moving forward. “They played well and we’ve had their number for years,” he said. “We won’t overreact. We’ll keep working, play more physical, and bring our intensity next time.”
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